I’ve been feeling weird the last few weeks – insert your jokes here – but I have been thinking of how to put it into words.
Having a child changes who you are. Chase changed me for the better in many ways. I can’t remember who I was before Larkin. I can recall certain pieces but even those seem to be under a shroud and no longer clear. However, there are phrases and words that carry weight that can never be forgotten. Those shaped who and what I am today.
Will you serve only God and reject the devil?
I love you.
Will you marry me?
Amy your nephew will be born but not alive
Your HGC shows you are pregnant
It’s a boy!
Mommy
I don’t love you anymore
My life is with “her”
I am divorced
Where is daddy?
Amy when will you love yourself?
Your mother did the best she could
I love you
Will you marry me and with Chase make us a family?
I have cancer
You will never get pregnant
Your HCG shows you are pregnant
All the chromosomes are perfect
It’s a girl!
Amy I don’t like the measurement of Larkin’s upper arm bone
Amy, Larkin’s DNA testing was not ok
Larkin has Trisomy 21
Trisomy 21 is the most common form of Down syndrome
Her heart her heart her heart
Mom why couldn’t it have been me instead of her?
Hi Amy I’m Dr Farris a pediatric neurologist
Larkin has Infantile Spasms and we need to begin a course of ACTH
Larkin’s EEG looks like LGS (Lennox-Gaustaut) and your next best option is Felbamate
Amy we feel Larkin’s Place is important and we are willing to help not just in an honorary way but also in EVERY way
How can I help?
You get my drift and point. There are many conversations we have in life that change our DNA, who we are, what we are, and how we move through life. God becomes most important. Faith is our strength. Through Him, all things are possible. I have always said it is the lines on our hearts that give us character. What are your lines? Spoken ones that etched out your character? Share with us so that perhaps by writing them we own what changed us.
It’s a girl
You’re having a son
There is no cure for metastatic colon cancer, Amy
I want to die, I don’t want to
be here anymore
You know how to take a punch, you’ll be OK
Maybe we should get married
mama, you live inside my heart
Hands down,without a doubt Zoey’s birth changed all of the lines within my heart.If you pop over to her site you can see too, the lines that changed also with 2 of her sisters who posted over the last 2 days.Sister #3,has yet to post,she is a little intimidated,she has hard acts to follow.Although all of the kids changed me,each in their own unique ways,Zoey was different and different in an amazing way.We often say that Zoey was what we all were waiting for,all of our lives.God bestowed on us,like you,the most life altering gift in the birth of Zoey.So,with that I say …,not as eloquently as you, from the moment I was told I was pregnant with this 6th precious soul to this very day and every single thing in between,the good the bad and the ugly,it all changed.Those lines that represent character mostly changed for the better but also left some changes that I have not embraced as well.Zoey will continue to shape and mold those lines for us and I venture to say she will be the catalyst and driving force in how we choose to spend our time and live our lives.Thanks Amy … as always.
I am ‘stealing’ your question for a blog post of my own….you are so right that these lines are truly the ones that shape our lives…thank you for sharing yours.
Amy you come up with some of the most amazing thoughts. I just had an experience with a young mother who found out that she may be having a child with Down Syndrome and I helped talk her through the whole fear of what to expect. I explained using your words and thank you for that how god didn’t give her that child he is entrusting her and I explained how many doors and avenues changed in my life because of Marcus. Positive things and connections with the most amazing people. It helped me find a way to help others in a positive way. Many of my conversations are based on my life experiences and the knowledge I gained from the simple character changing moments in my life. I was able to help her, I am helping my sis in law start a network in this area for childhood Cancer Awareness and I was able to be at the side of another family who’s child was getting a trach. I was able to prepare them and walk them through every step!!! Tommorrow will be another Life changing moment as we will be heading to Chicago in hopes that Marcus’s trach will come out! Once again wonderful post!! Take care and we continue to keep you in our thoughts and prayers (((((hugs)))) from the Bates family.
I posted mine on my blog too. Thanks Amy for sharing.